Presque 2010!

Day before New Years and I am so excited for tomorrow! Going out with some friends and getting super dressed up. We are going to party like it's 11 years after 1999!! I've been pretty sick the past two days, but with some good rest and medicine, I'll be ready for tomorrow.

I feel savvy about pretty much everything here - and really different in fact. When I first arrived I thought a lot of things wouldn't surprise me but that is not the case at all. Things still surprise me all the time. Not nearly as much as when I first arrived - but little everyday things that don't happen in the U.S.

I don't know if a lot of people read this blog (above all because I haven't made a lot of entries) , but it's a little difficult for me to write about things that right now are completely normal. It's hard to discern now between the things that would be completely foreign to Americans or not too different. There is so much to say!

Because of this, I would love if anyone who reads this blog to respond with things that strike them as strange or just strikes their interest, by asking questions - any question! If you have a questions regarding cultural differences, mentalities, diversity, stereotypes... It doesn't matter what the topic, nothing should be taboo in this world because everything is of importance, whether it is good or bad.

I wish everyone out there a Happy New Year and would love to respond to things that cross your mind!

A Wonderful Christmas

This month has been the best one yet. Bordeaux during the holiday season is absolutely beautiful and the vacation and the last two days have been wonderful. Christmas Eve, we had a huge meal at Mami and Papi's (grandparents) home and afterward opened all of the presents. Aunt Geneviève and Guy were there from Paris and Hélène and her boyfriend, Yanic.

For dinner, we had a 9 course meal. For the aperatif, there were small pretzel and chip snacks with and du vins blanc d'oranges done by Mami and flavored with oranges from the garden or another more savory, less acidic flavored wine which I forgot the name of 1. a savory vegatable soup 2. a small salmon entrée on a miniscule crépe with a smigdon of orange on top 3. a mixture of beef, potatos, garbanzo beans, and vegatables as main dish 4. 4 cheese plate 5. fruit 6. 2 cakes (home made lemon meringue) with coffee or tea 7. chocolates 8. and of course bread always

After dinner, we opened all of the presents and I recieved some lovely jewelry, a book, and a bag and beatiful things from my parents (Thanks everyone!). Olivier adored his hat and Laurent his shirt. Yanic and Helene loved their teapot.

The next morning, Oliver departed for Paris to see his cousin Francois and he is coming back Tuesday. Christmas also was lovely. We had the meal at our house and we had an enormous turkey with stuffing inside. Francoise cooked it with olives and chestnuts. There was also a gratin of carrots and celery and other vegatables, fried potato balls (addictive), foie gras (from the turkey), a quiche of tomatoes and a fish called red mullet or chigger. Haha I have never had that fish before, but that's what I got from the translation for rouget. Cheese or yogurt later, then a dessert of two chocolate bouches de noel, or yule logs. The meal lasted roughly 4 hours, but it was worth it. Later that evening, I went to Mami and Papi's place by myself. I listened to the record player and found JULIAN LENNON - Valotte is the best album I've heard in a while. I listened to the whole thing and loved it. Halfway through, Papi came in and showed me some pictures of his family's old 'ranch' before Algeria gained its independence in 1960 and all French people were forced to leave - or killed. The Algerian government seized all of the French peoples' property and familys basically fleed to Southern France.
He had told me many stories before about Algeria and it's all very fascinating. There's too much to explain in this blog. Later we talked about the immigration of Muslim Algerians to France and now I feel I have a complete comprehension of the situation regarding this very touchy controversy that is taking place in France.

Yesterday was so fun - we went to Arcachon - a beachside village/city resembling very much the beach at home - Torrey pines everywhere and pretty appartments.
Arcachon is famous for its natural phenomenon La Dune de Pyla, the tallest sand dune in Europe. We had a great lunch (third time I've been out to eat in France!) because it is not common for people to go out. Later we hiked the dune that was much like hiking through snow and was just as difficult. Here are some photos of our really fun outing and later when we had a some hot drinks and crepes.

Friends...

Hey Everyone,
I think I'm at the point of not being afraid to talk, which is a good feeling. Today, I talked a little with some girls in line for lunch and I ended up eating lunch with all of them. It's good to get to know more people.
I'm eating dinner in an hour or so - and have been back to eating carrots like I always do :) The weather has been kind of miserable, but I suppose that's winter for you. Christmas is completely different here. People don't really 'get ready' for Christmas. I mean there are some decorations and things like that - but not nearly as commercialized and idealized like in the States. I miss commercialization - it's such a beautiful illusion. I don't think we're even going to put up Christmas lights because the boys don't really feel like it. But I suppose it's not a big deal because we have such a long driveway, it's not like anyone would see them anyway.
This weekend I think I am going to go out a little with some friends and since I don't have school tomorrow I'm going to try to do some shopping in Bordeaux. We'll see...

2 Months left

Hey all,
I have two months left; it's gone fast but kind of slow too. School is going alright - trying to study harder because the classes are getting more difficult. I completed two of my college applications!!!!! So now we'll just have to see what happens with CSU San Marcos and University of California Berkeley.
I've got a big cancor sore from chocolate and pastries; and it covers my entire mouth - (warning to those who spend more than 2 weeks in France! :) It kind of feels like a weeklong halloween.
My English teacher has been helping me with French somedays. We go over grammar and she has given me some sheets to study. It's really nice of her to stay after and help me. Everyone hates her because when they don't get things in class she kind of yells at them - I'm just glad I'm not the one learning English...
I just remembered - it's Thanksgiving today - so Happy Thanksgiving to all of you lucky Americans who get yet another holiday.

It's getting harder to think of things to write about now because life is so normal now. I need to go Christmas shopping soon. In the mean time, the weather has been windy, cold, sunny once in a while, but still cold. I have finished those apps and essays that were my main focus for so long, so now, my senior project is going to be my next big project and this afternoon I'm going to outline it. Next weekend, I'm hanging out with friends on Saturday, :)

My Communication teacher spent a year as a senior in high school in Wisconsin (go figure, right). It's kind of funny to imagine her with lots of cows and cheese - my impression of Wisconsin. At least she wasn't deprived of cheese. She said the hardest/strangest part was adjusting once she got back home - I don't think that will be very hard for me. I mean of course I will miss speaking French because I really do love speaking now. It really is exactly like how I described it in my college essay - it's just so pretty and rich. Unfortunately - so is the food. Ok ha no more complaining. Also, going back to PHS with its rigorous curriculum and intense homework nights and swim team will be very difficult. I hope that lots of friends will be willing to help me catch up on the material. Swim whew I'm out of breath just thinking about it.

Other than that, I will be so happy to see my family - not to mention my friends! It will be so strange sleeping in my own bed again and watching the news all the time like usual and just joking around without having to think! I also wonder how much I will realize that I'm changed. Will it be like I havn't missed a beat and I've been gone for a week or so or will it be super obvious that I am changed.
One thing for sure is I know I will miss my host mom, Francoise. She is so fun to laugh and talk with and she really takes care of me - always making sure I'm alright. I hope I get the opportunity to see her again in the future after I have returned to California.
I'll try to write again next week - I think once December starts things will get more lively with Christmas and all.

I'm going to write more!!

Hey everyone, so I've made a resolution to write more on my blog because I know that you all want to know all about what's happening while im on the other side of the world eating cheese, cake, bread, going to school, trying to learn a lot... etc.
The past few weeks I was impossibly homesick. I was eating nutella practically out of the jar after dinner and def comfort eating - not healthy. The problem with that is that afterwards, you really dont feel that much better - just kind of sick and round. So then I realized if I want to turn my feelings and life and attitude around, I've got to do the things that I usually do at home - stay in shape, exerice, don't eat dessert every time it's offered to me...
Exericise is not a priority here in France like it is in the U.S. People ride their bike (not lately cause it's so rainy) but for the life of me, I don't understand how so many people are so skinny. Neither does my host mother. It's like they eat a meal and a good sized dessert and still have stick arms and legs. NOT the case with me.
But, something that made me feel a lot better - and also inspired me to write more for you guys is my friend Melissa's friend Melanie, who spent a year in Germany last year all her junior year. Apparently, there are a lot of exchange students who feel like they gain a lot of weight cause the food is so delicious, so fresh and you don't move around a lot. I thought when I came to France I would walk around everywhere, but I just have a short walk from the bus stop to and from school. When I get home from school I don't have the gusto to exercise - run, lift weights, like I usually do cause it's either 1:00 in the afternoon (starving!!!), 4:30 (tired in general) or 6:20 at night (dark - and a little hungry)
But seriously NOW im turning my lifestyle around. Eating slower - (savor that french food, Genevieve!!) and jogging/running more regularly. I meant jogging for 20 minutes each the past few days and I'm feeling more ready to face the world than before.

I think my host parents worry about me -well not worry, but want me to have more girlfriends, but it's really hard to have my friends over casue my good friends board at the school - so they go home during the weekend. I made a really good friend named Nour and her sister Nehja, but they are in Algeria right now. I hung out with them a lot last week - hopefully we can all hang out next week. They are super nice - funny, laugh it off when things get confused and I can be myself around them - which is a GREAT thing. Some people are really unsure when they start talking to me and I can sense it - so it's just uncomfortalbe and awkward.

School is going pretty well - I got a 12/20 on a fable I wrote in French class - Olivier got a 13 and a bunch of kids got 11s. Remember what I said before about the grading system - 12 is DECENTLY GOOD!! My other classes are also going well. In French the other day, my teacher gave us all a prompt for an essay and in the prompt there were the words utile (useful) and indisponsable (indispensable) and she wanted to know the nuance between the two words. Only me and one other kid knew the answer, but she picked me and I explained the meaning of the word indispensable to the class. It was funny, she was like "it is completley formidable that the American of the class can define a word that no one else here knows". I participated twice that class - I want to participate MORE in French class because I understand so much of what she is talking about than befoer - but I am not proficient enough in the language to fully articulate myself. Grrrrrrr - so frustrating sometimes. I feel like Ariel in the Little Mermaid sometimes - mute.
I will write more next week, in the mean time I need to do some work and lunch soon!

Winter

It's been raining almost every day, but things are going alright. Over the 10 day vacation I went to Paris and it was wonderful, better than anything I had ever imagined. Sometimes, before the idea of Paris seemed kind of cliché because well, Paris. But it really is as wonderful as everyone says. I came out of the metro station and L'Arc de Triomphe was right in front of me. It took my breath away. When we climbed up to the top and I gazed around the "star" of the huge rond-point, I couldn't believe it was real. The Champs-Elysées is not just something in my text book after all...
I also saw the Eiffel Tour at night, it is soooo tall! and also the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. My favorite was the Venus de Milo, classical art really is amazing when you see it in person. Before the Louvre, we walked around the Pyramid.
The next day, we went to La Defence, which is like a huge modern metropolitan area of Paris. The difference between it and other huge cities though with huge skyscrapers is that there is a lot of space between the buildings, so you really have a perspective of how small you are in comparing the buildings to each other and yourself. Amazing.
In Paris, we stayed with Henri's great aunt Geneviève and her husband, Guy. Yes, I was somewhat named after my great aunt Genevieve and the DuVals and Guys ARE related. Quite ironic, I'd say. They were very nice and loved to have us. We took the metro everywhere and during the day, ate lunch in Paris and had dinner at the house.
So now I'm back to school and it's good to be back in a routine, although Paris was really great.
Tonight, I made guacamole for the entree for dinner. We ate it with tortilla chips.

Getting ready to Fall back...

Welllll, it certainly has been a while since I've written... No matter I'll get everyone, (including myself) caught up.
Everyday gets easier and easier, I've hit a few plateaus since I've come as far as speaking, but a lot of people tell me I'm getting a lot better, speaking more rapidly and more correctly. It makes me so happy when people tell me that. I love talking with people I'm comfortable with, hahaha like Olivier's grandmother because everything just flows so well and I rarely feel like I'm grabbing at words. She told me the other night that my French has gotten so much better.

I AM 4th in MY CLASS!!!! Out of all the subjects averaged out, I am number 4 of 22 students. Olivier told me today after school and I was so excited. I also recieved a 10 out of 20 on my Communication Exam today. In the U.S. (and Canada) that may seem really bad (50%) but here in France a 13 is considered pretty good. It's hard to explain, the standard is just different. They don't exactly expect less, it's just different with grades. I saw the grades of the other exams in front of me when the teacher was writing down the scores and I saw 10.5, 15, 7.5, 6... The highest score was 15. I think a good way to explain it is the grading is very objective. French class is pretty much impossible like that. Olivier is first in the class, I gave him a pat on the back. We are such stellar students haha. I told him that I could put that on my college applications maybe and he said that I could also put that I am in love with the kid who's first in the class - joke haha

I taught everyone in Anglais again today and it went really well. I think the kids are more interested and motivated in the class with me showing them things because I actually speak the language and I really want to know how to speak their language too. Plus, I don't yell at them when they mess up or aren't sure like the real teacher.

I found Luisa Junginger on Facebook today. She was a German exchange student not last year but the year before in my French class. She was really good at English when she came, so it was just a matter of becoming fluent. I guess it was because she had spent some time in Texas with her relatives before coming to California. Hopefully we can talk next week.

Going to eat dinner chez Hélène soon. She is really good at making quiche. I will be sure to be more diligent about writing, I feel like I'm always on my toes here though. I don't want life to pass me by!

Good news, a two week vacation is next week! The Audiberts and I are going to Paris and I can't wait!

Sunday with a Flu by Yodelice

I'm sick right now, the cold and flu are going around at school. I think I got it from Olivier, I have a sore throat and my head is hot. So today, at lunch, I came home on the bus, but on the way, I stopped at the supermarket called Carrefour and bought Cranberry juice, smoothie, corn, and carrots. I had an ear of corn a little while ago and it was so good; the juice dripped down my hand and it was so sweet.
I got a 3/5 on my Management interrogation and I guess the teacher made an example of me because some kids got ones and zeros. For my math test, Olivier doesn't know what he or I got yet because the teacher wasn't done correcting all of them. Olivier told me she was really amused that I used pencil because in France, no one uses pencil for math tests, it's ink quills or ball point all the time - even for math.
Last night, we had dinner at Helene's place. She has a really cute little townhouse, very chic and worldly. We ate around 9:20 when I was getting really tired. The dinner was verrry good though. Helene made this bacon and egg quiche from scratch and it just melted in your mouth. The pastry was perfect and it felt wonderful on my sore throat. We also had marinated tomatoes and green beans, bread with an olive paste, and later I had a vanilla yogurt. Of course there was also bread and cheese, too. I am very happy that tomorrow is Friday so I can get better.

A pretty chateau in Bordeaux

My 3rd Week in France: Take your time:)

Everything is going smoothly here in St. Médard en Jalles. I've been going to school for about 2 weeks now and my teachers are supportive, the kids are friendly, and the food is great. I will try to find some peanut butter soon, though. My classes are very interesting. I feel like I'm in college because they are so specialized. Gestion is my hardest class. It revolves around the management and technicalities of organizations and enterprises. It sounds simple, but it is actually very complicated.
I got in touch with Drew, one of the other exchange students in France, Aimes, yesterday. He is faring well. Next Wednesday, I am going to some swim try outs because I hope to meet some kids who like sports/swimming like me. I am sooo excited to get in the water again. My history teacher is really cool and funny, like my old APUSH teacher, Mr. Lewis at PHS. I've made a few friends at school and one girl, Marie, is very patient with me haha.
I got a letter from my family today and it is really nice. I have 4 letters to send, but I need to get some stamps! I also need to take more pictures (need some batteries), especially for Saturday, when Olivier and I go to all the free museums. This one weekend is when all the monuments/museums in Bordeaux are free. He doesn't really want to go, and I said I didn't mind going alone, but he said he needed/should come. We're also going to make cookies, which will be really good, cause I haven't had those for a while.
It's nice to be in a general routine now. I come home around 1:00 or 4:30, repose for a little, do homework, compare with Olivier, watch TV/read, and finally have dinner around 8:00. I am getting used to eating late, and now I enjoy it. At first I would become extremely tired the later I waited to eat, but now, it's normal. I wore my new boots today; they were cute.
The weather is becoming beautiful here; Monsieur Audibert said this is their best month because there is a little bit of everything, but mostly it is pleasant and sunny with some wind.
I miss Nick a lot; he and his friend Derek have big hearts.

The First Day of School

Hey everyone - it's been an interesting and exciting past week. I guess that I have been here 6 days because I arrived last Friday.
My family is really good to me - they feed me good food and are extremely patient when some French words and phrases go completely over my head. Today is one of those days where I cannot understand anything- nor can I speak. M'ésprit est une mélange-confus (my mind is a hodge podge) haha. The only person who would understand if that translation is right who reads this blog would be Marc Bissonnette.
The mother, Francoise thinks that her cooking is simple, but compared to America, she puts a lot of time into her meals. They are always delicious. Almost every meal contains tomato becasue they are so abundant here. She is very kind and has a good sense of humor. Actually, the whole family has a good sense of humor.
The father is Henri. He is a cardioligist and I can tell that purposefully he talks in a normal manner to advance my comprehension and vocabulary. He introduces complicated subjects so that I am more challenged and I can grow in learning French. Although it is difficult, I appreciate it because I love nuances in both French and Enlgish and the evolution of languages.
Last night we were talking a lot about TV and movies and I asked Madame Audibert what her favorite movie was, she said after trying to remember, Pretty Woman. People are people - all over the world. Suddenly, without my understanding, Monsieur Audibert switched to jeu de mots. After a minute I realized he meant play on words, but I still wasn't sure. And I didn't want to introduce that if it was not what he meant - but of course it was. He was trying to think of examples in French, but of course when you try to remember things with word play off hand it is difficult. Finally after my confused looks, he remembered that the TV guide contains some of them . One was What kind of animal is always drunk? The answer is a zébue. It is an imaginary animal but the reason is because in French the phrase "I drank" is "j'ai bu". Hahahahaha very funny:) Then I told him one in English. I explained how when one makes a pun it is really "punny". He got it and laughed a little.
Sometimes, it amazing how much patience they have in explaining. There are times when I think, 'if I were them, I'd be ripping my hair out' but I guess they know that every new concept I learn is a new step for me, a new level reached.
Before school started today, Olivier and I went to his god parents house for a very big and delicious lunch. The first couse was a bit of porc and cantelope, the second course was chicken and ratatouille in a savory tomato sauce. With that were some very cute fried potato balls. Of course, the meal also contained baguette. After the meal, there were 4 choices for ice cream and an abundance of yogurts and mousses in little plastic containers. The choices for ice cream were coconut, banana with chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate. I had a little of coconut and banana with chocolate. Afterwards, I was soooooo full.
The god parents have three children with the ages of 12, 13, and 16. A girl and two boys. They just moved from a city about an hour north of Bordeaux. I realized later that is was Fabien's (the oldest boy) first day of school at L'Assomption. We kind of stuck together following Olivier around because we didn't know anybody. We agreed that if he needed help with English, I'd help him, and the same for me with math.
At school nothing really happened. Basically I listened to three people talk the entire time, which lasted about 3 hours. In France the first day of school begins at about 2:00 and then goes to 5:00. Tomorrow, though we will begin school at 8h00. After school, I was so tired from listening to French, not sick of it, but mentally exhausted.
Olivier says after a month it was be easier. I didn't talk to anyone except one of my new teachers today; Madame Lefargue. she was very nice to me and welcomed me after I introduced myself.

This has been a very long journey and the anticipation and what my mind predicts makes me wonder what is waiting for me.
The 27th of August, my mom and I flew to Boston and stayed at the Hampton near the airport. Boston is a very interesting city, with an intellectual mix of archaic American history and a 'Harvard' atmosphere, which is not snooty, but rather just relaxed and self aware.
I met the other kids yesterday and they are all fun to be around. It was reassuring to finally meet some kids who have some of the same doubts, hopes, wonders, and excitements that I have had. Carol Campos, a representative of CIEE showed us around Boston and we went on a Duck Tour, which was a vehicle which travels on land and water. I learned a lot about the city and all the while I got to know the three other kids better.
I am looking forward to the day(s) ahead of me when I arrive en France!

Details of my trip...

Hey everyone. So I am going to France for first semester of my senior year (specifically Saint Medard en Jalle) and I will be staying with a family, going to a French school, and eating southwestern French food.
I depart from Poway the 28th of August and from there, I fly to Boston where I will go through an orientation with other students going abroad. (The organization I am doing this through is called CIEE). The next day, after the orientation I fly to Paris and from there, make my way to one of the "communes" of Bordeaux, a little town called Saint Medard en Jalle, which has a population of roughly 24,000, about half the size of Poway.
I am getting kind of anxious about my trip, but at the same time, I am soooo excited.
The next step is going to L.A. to get my visa.

Hellllo everyone! I have just found out ma famille francaise!